Randy Day Named Perdue Farms CEO

Randy Day (AMP 165, 2003) has been named the new CEO of Perdue Farms, the fourth largest chicken producer in the United States. Day, only the fourth person to hold the CEO role in the company’s 100-year history, started with Perdue in 1980 and most recently held the role of COO.

The choice of Day was seen by some in the agribusiness sector as a safe move for the innovative company, writes DelmarvaNow. But Day was quick to counter that perception, telling the news outlet that “he will be just as willing as Perdue has always been to bet on new technology, business acquisitions and following consumer demands wherever they may lead.”

Among the questions facing Day is consumer demand for slower-growing “heritage” chickens. “Broiler” chickens have been bred to grow larger and more quickly, which reduces costs for farmers. But Day told DelmarvaNow that the issue is worth investigating–“It’s something we’re absolutely studying.”